SCHOLASTIC FOOTBALL: Onteora High varsity players to play for Kingston this season

KINGSTON >> Onteora High’s loss this season could be Kingston’s gain on the football field.

Unable to field a varsity team this coming season, a handful of players from Onteora will be joining the Tigers when play begins in September.

The Indians were previously unable to field varsity teams in 1998, 2006 and 2007.

“We’re excited to have them with us,” Kingston athletic director Glen Maisch said. “It’s about giving kids an opportunity.

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“We got calls a couple of weeks or so ago from some parents from Onteora saying they wouldn’t have a varsity season and could they play for Kingston. The first thing I remember is my mother always telling me we should share.

“I told them they needed to speak with (Onteora athletic director) Nick (Millas) right away because he had to make the request. When I spoke with Nick, I told him since we’re a (Class) AA school already, we’d have no issue taking on extra players.

“We already had a merger with Mount Academy (for track & field).”

Both the Onteora and Kingston school boards, as well as Section 9, have approved the move. Kingston’s school board approved the merger last week.

Millas and Onteora varsity coach Justin Kight could not be reached for comment.

“It’s definitely a positive for our team,” Kingston coach Jeramie Collins said. “It’s good for the kids. It’s good for football. Mr. Millas and Glen and both school boards should be applauded for getting this done.”

Collins added the reaction from his Kingston players has been generally positive.

“Some kids were a little concerned whether Kingston players would lose their spots,” he said. “I told them, it didn’t matter if a player was from Woodstock, Olivebridge, Samsonville, Town of Ulster or Broadway. I’m not telling anyone they’re going to start. We’re going to give them a helmet and they’re going to have to earn it.”

Collins didn’t rule out the possibility of more Onteora players joining the squad.

“We won’t turn kids away,” said Collins, who will be entering his sixth season as Tigers’ head coach. “We’ll carry as many kids as we have uniforms to hand out. I haven’t cut anybody since I got here.”

Collins added Kingston was asked before to take on players from another squad.

“My first year here, Rondout (Valley) didn’t have a varsity team and they approached us. Ultimately, we decided not to do it because we already had 60 kids on the roster with a new coach, new staff, new everything.

“We’re in a much better position now. Last year, we had 44 kids on the roster.”

Collins added his excitement about potential new players, however, was tempered.

“It is sad,” he said about Onteora’s situation. “You don’t ever want to see another program struggle or fail. I believe Mr. Millas is keeping the modified team going to keep that program moving forward.”

Maisch said Onteora would provide transportation of the players to and from Dietz Stadium, while Kingston would look to do some preseason workouts on Onteora’s field.

Collins welcomed that opportunity.

“Kids are like, sprints are sprints, it doesn’t matter where it is,” Collins said. “But it’s nice to break things up, get off the Dietz turf for a day.

“The last couple of years, we’ve been going to Timber Lake (Camp), which is right up the street (from Onteora). It’s been a good experience.”